Honoring the “Captain” – Derek Jeter

As the baseball world honors Derek Jeter at the All Star game and throughout the season, I am reminded of my baseball memories.

I grew up on Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra and Whitey Ford. My son took his first steps when Reggie Jackson hit his third home run in the World Series against the Dodgers.

I celebrated the 5 World Championships won with Derek Jeter and his Yankee teammates.

When I coached Little League I shared with the team that 20, 30 40 years from now, you will remember that one hit, that one defensive gem and the championship you won. Recently I ran into a number of my players who I coached 25 years ago. They smiled when they saw me, talked about the Red Sox and the championship we won and did remember that hit, that run and that game.

To this day, I remember with pride the pinch hit triple I got, with the bases loaded, that won the game for my Babe Ruth league team.

Baseball is America and what a representative Derek Jeter has been.

Mr. Jeter, the Captain, the Yankee, I salute your ethics, integrity, commitment to excellence and most of all your “class”.

Thank you for the memories of the past and have a great second half of the year. Enjoy your contribution as a role model and an example of commitment to excellence.

From a born Yankee fan, who saw DiMaggio, Rizutto, Berra, Mantle, Ford, Richardson, Kubek, Boyer, Maris, White, Jackson and others. Derek Jeter, you have moved to Number 1.